Woman dies after Florida floating casino shuttle craft catches fire

A woman died this weekend after a fire broke out on a boat ferrying gamblers to a casino ship moored off the coast of Florida.

On Sunday, a shuttle boat taking gamblers to the floating Tropical Breeze Casino caught fire, forcing its 36 passengers and 14 crew members to jump overboard to escape the flames. At least 15 passengers were taken to Tampa-area hospitals for treatment, and an unidentified 42-year-old female passenger succumbed to her injuries on Sunday night.

The fire broke out shortly after the shuttle vessel left the Florida coast, reportedly after suffering engine trouble. Passengers and onlookers reported the fire spreading rapidly, and video of the burning vessel provides a vivid illustration of the inferno. (See bottom of page.) The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Tropical Breeze spokesperson Beth Fifer said Monday that there had been no indications of previous trouble with the shuttle craft, and that the company was “deeply saddened” by the death of one of its customers.